pmeares17
03-15-2002, 10:32 PM
National League - 1887 - Present
Record (1887-1919) - 2505 - 2220
The Pittsburgh Pirates were known as the Alleghenys when they jumped from the American Association to the National League in 1887. They kept that name until 1890 when they were called the Innocents for one season. In 1891 they finally became known as the Pirates due to the aggressive, and somewhat questionable manner in which the club recruited players following the demise of the Players League.
After finishing in the second division in their first three years in the N.L., the franchise had it's worst season of all time in 1890. That year most of the club's regular players jumped to the rival Pittsburgh Burghers of the Players League, and the Innocents finished in the basement, some 66.5 games out of first, with a 23-1 13 record.
After retrieving many of their players when the P.L. folded, the Pirates nevertheless ended up in last place again the following season. The club eventually managed to claw it's way up to a second place finish in 1893 behind the pitching of Frank Killen who led the league with 34 wins that year.
But the Pirates ended up in the second division again for the next six seasons. In 1900 the defunct Louisville Colonials were merged with the Pirates, bringing such all-stars as Honus Wagner, Fred Clarke, Chief Zimmer and Deacon Phillipe to the club. Under the guidance of player-manager Clarke a dynasty was created that would last for the next decade. From 1900 to 1909 the Pirates won four pennants and came in second four times.
The Pirates won three straight N.L. pennants from 1901 to 1903. In 1903 they faced Boston in the first modem-day World Series which Boston won five games to three. The Pirates next pennant came in 1909. They then faced Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers in the World Series and beat the Tigers four games to three to win their first world championship.
It was the end of an era though, the Pirates spent the next decade as also-rans, their best finish was second place in 1912. The club didn't win another pennant until 1925.
Record (1887-1919) - 2505 - 2220
The Pittsburgh Pirates were known as the Alleghenys when they jumped from the American Association to the National League in 1887. They kept that name until 1890 when they were called the Innocents for one season. In 1891 they finally became known as the Pirates due to the aggressive, and somewhat questionable manner in which the club recruited players following the demise of the Players League.
After finishing in the second division in their first three years in the N.L., the franchise had it's worst season of all time in 1890. That year most of the club's regular players jumped to the rival Pittsburgh Burghers of the Players League, and the Innocents finished in the basement, some 66.5 games out of first, with a 23-1 13 record.
After retrieving many of their players when the P.L. folded, the Pirates nevertheless ended up in last place again the following season. The club eventually managed to claw it's way up to a second place finish in 1893 behind the pitching of Frank Killen who led the league with 34 wins that year.
But the Pirates ended up in the second division again for the next six seasons. In 1900 the defunct Louisville Colonials were merged with the Pirates, bringing such all-stars as Honus Wagner, Fred Clarke, Chief Zimmer and Deacon Phillipe to the club. Under the guidance of player-manager Clarke a dynasty was created that would last for the next decade. From 1900 to 1909 the Pirates won four pennants and came in second four times.
The Pirates won three straight N.L. pennants from 1901 to 1903. In 1903 they faced Boston in the first modem-day World Series which Boston won five games to three. The Pirates next pennant came in 1909. They then faced Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers in the World Series and beat the Tigers four games to three to win their first world championship.
It was the end of an era though, the Pirates spent the next decade as also-rans, their best finish was second place in 1912. The club didn't win another pennant until 1925.